She stepped back immediately, tears filling her eyes once more as if nothing had happened.

I bent down to pick up my bag from the floor. The zipper had come undone during the struggle, and a white envelope slipped out.

It landed at Apollo's feet.

My heart stopped.

Apollo bent down and picked it up.

His brows slowly furrowed as his eyes scanned the envelope before lifting to meet mine.

“What's this?” He turned it over in his hand, studying it. “Since when do you keep documents hidden in your bag?”

Panic exploded inside me and without thinking, I lunged at him.

Apollo wasn't expecting it.

We both stumbled, and the envelope slipped from his hand.

I grabbed it before he could read another word.

My heartbeat thundered so loudly I thought everyone in the room could hear it.

“It's nothing.” I forced a smile despite the panic clawing at my chest. “Just thick paper. I bought it for a craft project, that's all.”

Apollo frowned as he dusted off his suit.

“For fuck's sake, Elara.” He sounded more irritated than suspicious. “You're not a little kid anymore. Stop acting so damn clumsy.”

Quietly, I released the breath I'd been holding.

He didn't ask another question.

Instead, he adjusted his cuffs.

“There's a charity banquet tomorrow night.” His gaze settled on me. “Get yourself ready. You're coming with me, and don't make another scene.”

I wanted to refuse.

More than anything.

But I couldn't risk making him suspicious.

Not now.

Just seven more days.

I only had to endure seven more days.

The following evening, Apollo's black armored Rolls-Royce came to a stop outside one of Chicago's most luxurious hotels.

The moment I stepped out, cameras flashed from every direction.

The host hurried over with a bright smile.

“Mr. Riccio, it's been far too long. We're honored that you could attend tonight.”

His gaze shifted to Agatha.

She wore a breathtaking custom-made crimson gown, while diamonds glittered around her neck. Anyone looking at her would have assumed she belonged at Apollo's side.

The host smiled knowingly.

“And this beautiful young lady must be your fiancée, Miss Redd.”

Agatha covered her mouth with a soft laugh.

“Oh, you've misunderstood.” She lowered her gaze shyly before looking at me. “I'm only Mr. Riccio's assistant... and Elarisse's half-sister. My sister is the real fiancée. She's just always been sick, so fragile and delicate. I could never compare to her.”

Apollo chuckled.

Instead of correcting the misunderstanding, he reached over and lightly flicked the tip of her nose.

“You little troublemaker.” His voice carried unmistakable affection. “You talk too much. Nobody outside is going to spoil you the way I do, so you'd better behave.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Agatha stuck out her tongue playfully before wrapping both arms around Apollo's.

“So that's all I'll ever be to you?” She looked up at him with innocent eyes and smiled. “Just your little assistant? Or... are you planning to make me something more, Don Apollo?”

Apollo let out a low chuckle and gently flicked her forehead.

“You've got a mouth on you.” His eyes softened with amusement. “Keep talking like that in public, and people are really going to think I spoil you too damn much.”

She pouted dramatically before resting her head against his shoulder anyway.

“Then let them think whatever they want.” She hugged his arm even tighter. “It's not like I care what other people say.”

I couldn't watch anymore.

Every second felt like another knife twisting inside my chest.

Quietly, I turned around.

I just wanted to leave.

“Elara.”

Apollo's voice stopped me cold.

I froze.

The warmth he'd shown Agatha disappeared the instant he looked at me.

“Where the hell do you think you're going?” His brows knitted together. “The banquet's about to start, so don't wander around making people look for you.”

“I...” I lowered my eyes. “I just needed some air. I'll be back in a minute.”

He didn't even respond.

Instead, he pulled Agatha closer as they walked toward the ballroom.

“Enough.” His voice turned gentle again. “Quit acting spoiled. Are you trying to embarrass me in front of everyone?”

Agatha giggled.

“Maybe.” She smiled mischievously. “What if I like seeing you panic over me?”

Apollo shook his head with a helpless smile.

“You little brat.” He sighed with obvious affection. “One of these days, you're really going to test my patience.”

I followed behind them.

Always two steps behind.

My simple white dress looked painfully plain beneath the glittering chandeliers. Walking behind them, I looked less like Apollo's fiancée and more like someone trailing after them with their belongings.

People noticed.

Of course they noticed.

High society had always been the same. They worshipped power and trampled anyone who'd fallen. Apollo's attitude toward me told them everything they needed to know.

Every glance I received carried either pity or contempt.

After several rounds of drinks, someone stepped into my path.

The smell of expensive liquor reached me before I even looked up.

Lambert Gray.

The eldest son of the Gray family.

His face was already flushed from drinking as he lazily swirled the whiskey in his glass while looking me up and down.

“Well...” A disgusting grin spread across his face. “If it isn't the famous Miss Redd. So this is what the little princess looks like up close. My God... no wonder your father hid you away. You really are beautiful.”

The moment I recognized him, my blood ran cold.

Years ago, he'd tried to kidnap me.

His men had surrounded my car outside the hospital. If Apollo's bodyguards hadn't arrived in time, I didn't even want to imagine what would've happened.

Apollo had nearly started a war with the Gray family over it.

People said he'd broken into Lambert's estate that very night and beaten him so badly that even his own mother couldn't recognize him.

Lambert had never forgotten.

Neither had I.

I immediately took a step back.

“I don't want any trouble.” My voice stayed calm despite the fear creeping through me. “Please move aside and let me pass.”

He laughed.

“But I do.” His smile widened. “I've been waiting a long time to run into you again.”

His hand shot out and wrapped around my waist before I could react.

I gasped.

His other hand slid toward my thigh.

My entire body stiffened.

“Let go of me!” I struggled against his grip. “Don't touch me!”

Lambert leaned closer until I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

“What are you acting so fucking innocent for?” He smirked shamelessly. “Everyone knows Don Apollo's got himself a new favorite. You've already been thrown away, but I don't mind. I'll gladly take what's left.”

My stomach turned.

Without thinking, I grabbed the nearest wine glass and threw its contents straight into his face.

Red wine drenched his expensive suit.

For one brief moment...

The entire ballroom fell silent.

Then Lambert exploded.

“You bitch!” He staggered backward, pointing at me with a furious expression. “How dare you embarrass me in front of everyone? Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?”

His roar echoed through the ballroom.

Every guest turned toward us.

Across the room, Apollo looked over.

Agatha immediately covered her mouth in fake shock before hurrying toward us.

“Oh no...” She grabbed Apollo's arm, her eyes already glistening with tears. “Sister... what did you do?”

She looked from Lambert to Apollo, panic spreading across her face.

“The Gray family has worked with Riccio Group for years. If this ruins the partnership... what are we going to do now?”

Apollo's expression darkened.

A waiter hurried over and handed Agatha a towel.

She accepted it without hesitation before carefully wiping the wine from Lambert's suit herself.

“I'm so sorry.” She bowed repeatedly with genuine-looking remorse. “My sister rarely leaves the mansion, so she doesn't really know how to interact with people anymore. If anyone should apologize, it's me.”

She lowered her head even further.

“My sister's been sick her whole life.” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Please don't hold this against her. She really didn't mean any harm.”

The whispers began almost immediately.

“So that's the famous Miss Redd?”

“I thought she'd have better manners.”

“Being sick doesn't excuse acting like a spoiled princess.”

“The Redd family collapsed years ago, but she still acts like she's above everyone.”

“Look at Agatha.”

“She's only an assistant, yet she's handling this with so much grace.”

“No wonder Don Apollo dotes on her.”

“If I were him, I'd choose Agatha too.”

Every word cut deeper than the last.

Not one person asked why I'd thrown the wine.

Not one person wondered what Lambert had done.

Because nobody cared.

Realizing everyone had taken his side, Lambert's confidence returned immediately.

He straightened his soaked jacket before looking directly at Apollo with a smug grin.

“So...” He slowly spread his arms. “Your woman just humiliated me in front of half of Chicago's elite. Tell me, Don Apollo... how the fuck are you planning to make this right?”

The whispers around me grew louder.

I looked straight at Apollo.

For one brief second, I let myself hope.

“Apollo...” My voice trembled as I swallowed hard. “Please... just this once, believe me. He touched me first. He grabbed my waist and tried to put his hand under my dress. That's why I threw the wine.”

Before Apollo could respond, Lambert burst into laughter.

“What the fuck?” He looked around the ballroom with exaggerated disbelief before spreading his arms toward the guests. “Miss Redd, you can't just throw accusations around like that. My reputation doesn't matter to me, but the Gray family's does. You claim I molested you? Fine. Then tell everyone... who actually saw it?”

Silence fell over the ballroom.

Nobody spoke.

Nobody stepped forward.

Nobody wanted to get involved with the Gray family or with Apollo.

I looked around desperately. Someone had to have seen it, didn't they?

Apollo never even looked at me.

He walked straight past me and stopped in front of Lambert.

His expression remained cold.

“I'll increase your percentage on the West District infrastructure project.” His voice was emotionless. “Take it as compensation, and let's end this here.”

Lambert grinned with satisfaction.

“Now that's the Don Apollo everyone knows.” He straightened his jacket with a smug smile. “You should keep your woman on a much tighter leash before she embarrasses you again.”

Apollo said nothing.

That was enough.

Just like that, everyone decided I was guilty.

The spoiled woman who attacked someone for no reason.

I stood there alone while countless eyes settled on me.

Some carried pity.

Most carried contempt.

Apollo turned to leave.

“Apollo...” My voice was barely audible. “Not even once? You won't believe me... not even once?”

He stopped walking but didn't turn around immediately.

Slowly, he looked over his shoulder.

The mockery in his eyes hurt more than anything.

“Elarisse.” A cold laugh escaped his lips. “Do you seriously think the whole fucking world revolves around you? Lambert promised me years ago he'd never touch you again, so who the hell am I supposed to believe?”

He grabbed my wrist and dragged me behind one of the ballroom doors.

The moment we were out of sight, he shoved me backward.

I stumbled into the wall.

Pain shot through my shoulder.

“I know exactly what you're doing.” His voice dropped lower, every word laced with anger. “You're pissed because of Agatha. You can't stand that I care about her, so now you're trying to start shit with the Gray family just to get back at me. I don't give a damn about losing money, but can't you stop targeting her for five fucking minutes?”

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it again.

What was the point?

How many times had I cried?

How many times had I begged?

How many times had I explained myself?

Had any of it ever mattered?

No.

Never.

This time...

I stayed silent.

If that's what he wanted to believe...

Then fine.

Only seven more days.

In seven days, none of this would matter anymore.

I bent down and slipped off my high heels.

The skin on both heels had blistered and bled. Every step had felt like walking on knives.

Apollo had bought these shoes himself.

Whenever I complained they hurt, he'd always frown.

“They're designer.” He'd dismiss me without another thought. “They fit perfectly. Stop acting spoiled.”

He never once considered...

Maybe they were simply the wrong size.

Barefoot, I quietly walked away.

Step after painful step.

I never looked back.

Behind me, Apollo watched me leave.

For the briefest moment, his brows drew together as though something didn't sit right with him.

He took a step forward.

Then another voice stopped him.

“Mr. Riccio...” Agatha slipped her arm around his and looked up with worried eyes. “Do you think Sister still hates me? I never meant to make things worse. She left without saying anything... maybe she doesn't even care that you're worried about her anymore.”

Apollo's expression hardened again.

The hesitation vanished.

He glanced at my retreating figure one last time before looking away.

“Forget her.” His voice turned cold once more. “She brought this on herself. If she wants to throw another tantrum, let her.”

Without another glance...

He walked back into the hotel with Agatha.

And left me behind.

A few days later, the partnership with the Gray family was officially signed.

Not long after that, Agatha moved into the Riccio estate.

Apollo claimed it was only temporary.

He found me sitting beside the window with Lila curled up in my lap. My ragdoll purred softly while I absentmindedly stroked her silky fur.

“Agatha's staying here for a while.” Apollo stood beside me with his hands in his pockets. “She's an orphan, and she's had a rough life. I'm her boss. I can't just leave her with nowhere to go. It'll only be a few days, and it won't affect you. She's your older sister. You share the same blood.”

Won't affect me?

I almost smiled.

Instead, I kept petting Lila.

“...Okay.”

That was all I said.

Apollo left shortly afterward.

The moment the front door closed, the sweet smile disappeared from Agatha's face.

It vanished so quickly it was almost frightening.

She marched upstairs without hesitation.

Something crashed.

Then another.

Then another.

My heart dropped.

I ran upstairs.

The door to my forensic laboratory stood wide open.

Glass slides were shattered across the floor. Microscopes had been thrown from the tables. Evidence samples I'd spent months organizing lay scattered everywhere. DNA models were smashed. Reference books had their pages ripped out. Computers and expensive equipment had been destroyed within minutes.

“What are you doing?!” I rushed inside and threw myself in front of the only cabinet she hadn't reached. “Agatha, stop! Don't touch that cabinet!”

Inside were years of research notes.

Case analysis journals.

Study materials I'd collected for the European Forensic Science Institute.

Everything I'd worked so hard for.

I spread my arms to shield it.

Agatha slowly turned toward me and there wasn't a trace of innocence left on her face.

“You really treasure this garbage, don't you?” She kicked another box across the floor before taking a slow step toward me. “You actually thought you'd get into that institute? Dream on. You don't deserve a future. You don't deserve Apollo, and you certainly don't deserve this house.”

She stopped until we were almost face to face.

“I hate you.” Her voice dropped to a whisper filled with venom. “I've hated you since the day I found out you were Father's legitimate daughter. You had everything. The family, the name, the love. And what did I have? A dead mother, no home, and no one.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

“So why should you get to keep any of it?” She smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with malice. “I'll take everything from you. Your home. Your fiance. Your future. And when I'm done... you'll have absolutely nothing left.”

Agatha picked up one of my forensic case files and flipped through it with a bored expression before letting out a mocking laugh.

“You really wasted all this time on something so worthless. No wonder Apollo never takes any of it seriously.”

Without the slightest hesitation, she ripped it straight down the middle.

Sheets of paper fluttered across the floor.

“No!” I rushed toward her, panic rising in my chest. “Stop! Those files took me years to finish. Please don't destroy them.”

She ignored every word.

With a careless sweep of her arm, she sent an expensive microscope crashing off the workbench. Glass shattered across the floor as the machine broke into hundreds of pieces. Then came the DNA models, the evidence boards, the preserved samples. Everything I'd spent years building was destroyed within minutes.

Agatha smiled as she watched my expression crumble.

“You look heartbroken.” She picked up another research journal and slowly tore it in half. “It's actually satisfying to watch. I hate seeing you happy, so watching you lose everything feels wonderful.”

My chest tightened painfully.

Those weren't just books.

They were years of work.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” My voice shook with anger and disbelief. “You know how hard I worked for all of this! What gives you the right to destroy them?”

Agatha rolled her eyes before casually unclasping the diamond necklace around her neck.

She tossed it onto the marble floor at my feet.

The diamonds sparkled beneath the lights.

“There.” She shrugged carelessly. “Apollo gave me that three days ago, and it's worth a few million. Take it and consider us even.”

She pretended to think for a moment before smiling sweetly.

“Oh, that's right.” Her smile turned cruel. “My dear sister's far too proud to accept charity. If this isn't enough compensation... I suppose I'll just have to destroy a little more.”

She reached for the last storage box.

Panic flooded through me.

“No!”

I ran toward the final locked cabinet.

Hidden beneath stacks of forensic journals...

Was the only thing I truly cared about.

A small wooden music box.

My father had given it to me before he died.

Inside was the last voice recording he'd ever left behind.

Whenever I missed him...

I'd wind it up and listen.

It was all I had left of him.

I hugged the music box tightly against my chest.

“Don't touch this.” My voice cracked as tears blurred my vision. “Please... you can destroy anything else if you want, but not this. It's the only thing I have left of Dad.”

Agatha noticed immediately.

“So...” Her smile slowly widened. “This is what really matters to you.”

She walked toward me.

“Give it to me.” She held out her hand without hesitation. “If it's so precious, I want to see exactly how broken you'll look after I destroy it.”

“No!” I shook my head desperately, clutching it tighter. “Please... it's all I have left of Dad. Don't take this away from me too.”

Her eyes turned ice cold.

“Dad?” She let out a bitter laugh. “He was never my father. He abandoned my mother, abandoned me, and spent every day loving you instead. While you happily called him Dad, I grew up with nothing.”

She grabbed the music box.

“I hate hearing you say that word.”

I held on with everything I had.

“Let go!” she snapped before shoving me backward.

I crashed onto the floor.

The music box slipped from my hands.

“No!”

At that exact moment, Lila came racing into the room.

My ragdoll cat hissed louder than I'd ever heard before and launched herself at Agatha. Her claws raked across Agatha's wrist, making her scream in pain. The music box flew from her hand and landed outside the open balcony doors.

I didn't stop to think.

I ran downstairs as fast as I could.

Thankfully, the music box had landed safely in the bushes below.

The wood was scratched but it hadn't broken.

I hugged it tightly against my chest.

Thank God!

When I hurried back inside...

The smile disappeared from my face.

Lila was locked inside a steel pet carrier.

She cried the second she saw me.

Apollo sat on the sofa, his expression darker than a storm cloud. Agatha sat beside him with thick bandages wrapped around her wrist while tears streamed endlessly down her face.

Apollo looked up at me. “So this is the fucking animal you raised.” His voice was as cold as ice. “Look what it did to Agatha. Is this how you've trained it?!”

I immediately dropped to my knees beside the carrier and wrapped both arms around it. Lila pressed herself against the bars, crying softly.

“No.” I looked directly into Apollo's eyes. “Lila attacked because she was protecting me! If you want someone to blame, blame me instead. Leave her out of this. She didn't do anything wrong.”

Agatha burst into fresh tears.

“Sister...” Her voice trembled pitifully as she lowered her head. “Why are you lying again? I only went upstairs because I thought your research was important. I wanted to help organize everything after the mess, but your cat suddenly attacked me.”

She sniffled before looking at Apollo.

“I never blamed Sister.” Tears continued rolling down her cheeks. “But now she's blaming me instead. Maybe I shouldn't have tried helping her at all.”

“You liar!” I shouted, unable to hold back any longer. “You destroyed everything! You smashed my equipment, tore apart all my research, and even tried to destroy Dad's music box. You did all of it, and now you're pretending to be the victim!”

“Enough.”

Apollo's voice sliced through the room like a blade.

Silence fell instantly.

He slowly rose to his feet, his gaze never leaving mine.

“If those files really meant that much to you...” His expression remained unreadable. “...then you wouldn't have gone completely fucking insane over them. I think it's better if every last piece of that laboratory disappears. You clearly don't deserve it.”

My breathing stopped.

Apollo looked toward his men.

“Burn the laboratory.” His order was calm, almost indifferent. “Destroy everything. Leave nothing behind.”

Then his eyes shifted toward Lila.

“And that fucking cat...” His voice turned even colder. “If it dares attack someone under my roof, it doesn't deserve to stay alive.”

“No!” I threw myself over the carrier, shielding it with my body. “Please! Lila didn't do anything wrong. She was only trying to protect me. Please... don't hurt her.”

Apollo didn't even spare me a glance.

He simply gave a single nod.

Several De Sangue soldiers immediately stepped forward.

They grabbed my arms.

“No!” I struggled with everything I had, but my body was far too weak to resist. “Please let her go! Don't take her away from me!”

One man ripped the carrier from my embrace.

Another tore the music box from my hands.

My fingers burned as they were forced apart.

“No...” My voice broke into sobs. “Please... give them back! They're all I have left!”

I dropped to my knees.

The cold marble dug into my skin, but I didn't feel it anymore. I crawled toward Apollo one painful step at a time until I reached him, my trembling fingers clutching the leg of his pants.

“Apollo...” My voice cracked as I looked up at him through blurred eyes. “I'm begging you. Please don't do this! My father's music box... That's all I have left of him. And Lila...” My gaze shifted to my frightened ragdoll cat crying inside the carrier. “She's been with me through every horrible day. You can destroy everything else if you want, but don't take her away from me. I'll do anything. I'll kneel forever if that's what you want. I'll apologize, disappear, and never stand in Agatha's way again. I just... I just want Lila back.”